Someone asked me if the In Work Credit was still available. It is . There are two different credits.
Return to Work Credit – for those with a health condition or disability
In Work Credit – for those without a health condition or disability.
This is from the Direct Gov website …
Return to Work Credit is a tax-free payment of £40 per week for people that have, or have had, a health condition or disability.
It can be payable for up to 52 weeks as long as:
- your job is expected to last at least five weeks
- you are working on average over 16 hours a week
- your gross earnings do not exceed £288.46 per week, or £1,250 per month
- you are earning at least the National Minimum Wage
- you have been getting an incapacity benefit for 13 continuous weeks or more
- you have started work or will be starting work within the five-week period immediately after being entitled to a qualifying benefit
- you meet any other relevant requirements
You might not qualify if you claim either of the following benefits in the five weeks before starting work:
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income Support as a lone parent
Changes to Return to Work Credit will be brought in for new claims to benefit from July 2013 onwards. This means there will be no new payments of Return to Work Credit from 1 October 2013.
Payments already in place on 1 October 2013 will continue for up to 52 weeks, as long as you meet the rules for getting the payment.
So in short its still available till 1 October 2103 and to claim it you have, or have had a health condition.
But this is In work credit . There is another benefit called In Work Credit.
In Work Credit is a tax-free payment of £40 per week (£60 in London) for parents bringing up children alone. It is payable for up to 52 weeks on top of your earnings.
Who is eligible
If your benefit claim begins before 1 October 2012 you may get In Work Credit if you:
- are bringing up children on your own
- have a child living with you who is under the age of 16
- are starting work of at least 16 hours a week on average and getting a wage or salary that meets the National Minimum Wage (or you’re self employed)
- expect that work to last five weeks or more
Find out what the National Minimum Wage rates are by using the following link.
You must also have been out of work for at least 52 weeks before you start work and getting:
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
ESA will only count if you:
- lost entitlement to Income Support due to the age of your youngest child
- were unable to claim Jobseeker’s allowance because you were ill
If you live in London and get the following benefits you could also get In Work Credit:
- Incapacity Benefit
- ESA
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Carers Allowance
Changes to In Work Credit will be brought in for new claims to benefit from October 2012 onwards. This means there will be no new payments of In Work Credit from 1 October 2013.
Payments already in place on 1 October 2013 will continue for up to 52 weeks, as long as you meet the rules for getting the payment.
Its not really “Changes to Return to Work Credit” more like “Axe of Return to Work Credit”. More like the changes to the chocolate ration meaning chocolate will no longer be available on Airstrip One.